After the exhausting day of baking, decorating, and running the bustling restaurant, Steven finally had a moment to himself. He sat in his room, savoring the warm sweetness of his hot chocolate while the faint hum of his computer filled the air. The day's events played back in his mind—the cheerful faces of customers, the aroma of fresh pastries, and the sight of the shop decorated for Christmas.
Just as he was about to close his eyes for a moment, a notification popped up on his computer screen.
[Damien: Hey Steven! Long time no see. Join me for a game?]
Steven smiled. It had been weeks since he last played any games, focusing entirely on self-improvement. But it was Christmas, and a short break wouldn't hurt.
"I can spare some time today," Steven thought. "It's Christmas, after all."
Steven downloaded the game and logged in, accepting Damien's invite. The game was a popular multiplayer survival horror set in a zombie apocalypse. The story began with a deadly virus sweeping through a bustling metropolis, turning its inhabitants into ravenous undead. Players took on the roles of survivors who returned to the city from a camping trip, only to find chaos awaiting them.
The goal was simple: find weapons, fend off zombies, scavenge for food, and make it to the research facility at the heart of the city to discover the antidote and save humanity.
The game's loading screen faded, and Steven's character came to life on the screen. The chaotic streets, the groans of zombies in the distance, and the eerie atmosphere immediately immersed him.
[Playing E-sports. Skill Unlocked: Gaming (Intermediate Proficiency: 27/100).]
Steven's hands danced across the keyboard and mouse with precision, his movements swift and deliberate. It was as though he had stepped into the game itself. His character dodged zombie hordes with ease, scavenged the best weapons, and used brilliant tactics to outwit the undead.
Damien's voice rang through the game's chat. "Dude, you're amazing at this! How are you so good?"
Steven chuckled. "Just a natural, I guess."
After completing the zombie game's storyline, Steven and Damien decided to try another game. Damien suggested a highly popular multiplayer battle game called Gladiator.
The premise was straightforward: players chose characters and battled in an arena reminiscent of the ancient Roman Colosseum. The game was revered for its balance—no overpowered characters, no game-breaking equipment. Winning depended entirely on skill.
Steven selected a knight clad in shining silver armor, armed with a razor-sharp sword. He named his character SilverKnight.
As the first match began, Steven immediately noticed how well the system-enhanced Gaming skill worked in a fast-paced, competitive environment. His reactions were sharp, his movements precise, and his strategies flawless. Match after match, Steven climbed the leaderboard.
[Gaming Proficiency Increased: Intermediate (35/100).]
Damien was in awe. "Steven, you're climbing the ranks like crazy! You're a natural gladiator."
Steven grinned, enjoying the thrill of each battle. But as he played, another thought crossed his mind. Games are fun, but what about their potential? The mechanics, the design, the development... This world is massive.
After a few more matches, Steven logged out of the game. His curiosity had shifted. He opened his browser and began researching game development. The more he read, the more fascinated he became.
The system chimed in his mind:
[Game Development is a highly creative and technical field. Would you like to unlock this skill?]
"Yes," Steven thought, his excitement building.
He began learning about programming languages, game engines, and design software. From Unity and Unreal Engine to Blender for 3D modeling, Steven explored the tools used by industry professionals. His system accelerated his learning pace, breaking down complex concepts into manageable steps.
[Skill Unlocked: Game Development (Basic Proficiency: 5/10).]
Steven's first projects were simple yet satisfying: classic games like chess, checkers, carrom, space shooters, and Tetris. As his proficiency grew, he moved on to more advanced projects, creating racing games inspired by Asphalt and Forza Horizon, as well as action-adventure games akin to Shadow Fight and Prince of Persia.
[Game Development Proficiency: Intermediate (57/100).]
Steven marveled at how far he had come in just a few days.
While Steven enjoyed developing games, he wanted to share his creations with others. He began searching for a platform to release his games. After hours of browsing, he stumbled upon Raven Games, a small game development and publishing company located in Baltimore.
"Baltimore is only thirty to forty minutes away," Steven thought. "This could work."
Steven prepared a portfolio of his games, including trailers and gameplay snippets, and sent them to the company's manager. To his surprise, he received a reply within hours.
The manager praised Steven's work, stating that the games had immense potential in the market. They offered him a deal: $200,000 to $250,000 for each game.
Steven sat back in his chair, stunned. He had created over a half dozen games during his learning phase, and the total offer amounted to $1.5 million.
Steven signed the deal with Raven Games and transferred his games to their platform. The money he earned was more than just a financial windfall—it was a symbol of how far he had come.
That night, as Steven sat in his room, sipping another cup of hot chocolate, he smiled. He had started the holiday season with the goal of improving himself. Now, he had not only mastered a new skill but also turned it into a lucrative opportunity.
"Tomorrow," Steven thought, "is a new day. Let's see what else I can achieve."
The system chimed again.
[Quest Complete: Develop and Sell Games. Rewards: +3 Creativity, +2 Intelligence, +1 Charisma.]
With a renewed sense of purpose, Steven closed his eyes, ready to embrace the next challenge.